Senator and Wife Honored through Friends’ Gift

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bella Vista couple Pat and John A. Cooper Jr. have made a $500,000 gift to the University of Arkansas Libraries to honor a former United States senator and his wife.

The Lindley and Kaneaster Hodges Jr. Periodicals Reading Room within Mullins Library recognizes the service of Kaneaster Hodges to the state of Arkansas and to the University of Arkansas through his service on the Steering Committee and Executive Committee of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, and chair of the Library subcommittee.

UA Chancellor John A. White said: “We are very grateful to John and Pat Cooper for their continued generosity to the University of Arkansas. Their gift to honor Kaneaster and Lindley Hodges is a fitting tribute to a two people who have provided outstanding leadership to our campus and our state.”

Kaneaster and Lindley Hodges have been acknowledged for their many contributions to Jackson County and the state of Arkansas by Arkansas State University, which celebrated the naming of the Lindley and Kaneaster Hodges Jr. Auditorium inside ASU’s new arts center this past fall.

Lindley and Kaneaster Hodges Jr. have actively supported cultural events, academic programs and prison education initiatives. Lindley Hodges, a 1960 UA graduate, is currently involved in a prison Bible study program. Kaneaster Hodges serves as president of the Northeast Arkansas Higher Education Charitable Foundation; is a member of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and is vice-chairman of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. They are members of the Towers of Old Main. Kaneaster Hodges was a University of Arkansas Trustee from 1980, and served two years as chairman. He was chosen Volunteer of the Year for the university in 1991, and currently serves on the 2010 Commission.

The Newport resident graduated from Princeton University in 1960, and earned graduate degrees from the school of theology of Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1963 and from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1967. Over the years he has practiced law in Newport, worked as a lay minister and farmer, served as hospital and prison chaplain, city attorney and deputy prosecuting attorney. In 1975, he was legislative secretary to Gov. David Pryor. He has served as chairman of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and as a member Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. He was appointed in 1977 to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John J. McClellan and served from 1977 to 1979.

Carolyn Henderson Allen, dean of University Libraries, said: “We are grateful for the generosity of the Coopers and just delighted that they have chosen to recognize the Hodgeses through their generous philanthropy. Kaneaster and Lindley have been great supporters of the University Libraries and have helped us tremendously through their efforts, so it’s particularly meaningful that the Coopers’ gift honors them.”

John A. Cooper Jr. attended the University of Arkansas and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He has been with Cooper Communities Inc. in Bella Vista since 1961 and currently serves as its Chairman, president and chief executive officer. Cooper Communities is the developer of residential retirement-recreation communities located in Arkansas and Tennessee such as Cherokee Village, Bella Vista Village and Hot Springs Village. He serves on the Arkansas Business Council and is a member of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee.

Pat Cooper attended the University of Mississippi. She serves on the boards of the Arkansas Cancer Research Foundation, and the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging Advisory Board and is a trustee of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation Board of Trustees. She is also a member of the Women’s Giving Circle, the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee, the Leadership and Principal Gifts Committee and the Women in Philanthropy Committee.

“We would like to thank John and Pat Cooper not just for their generous philanthropy, but for their constant loyalty, support and leadership in the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century,” said G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for university advancement. “Kaneaster and Lindley Hodges have also provided valuable counsel and leadership for the Campaign effort. This gift is a special tribute among friends and we’re pleased to be a part of recognizing the Hodges for their service to Arkansas.”

The Coopers have previously supported professorships in Fulbright College and other University of Arkansas initiatives. They are members of Towers of Old Main, a philanthropic organization whose members are recognized for outstanding support of the University of Arkansas.

The Coopers’ gift counts toward the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century and the $300 Million Challenge effort to match a $300 million challenge gift. As of Feb. 28, 2005, the Campaign had raised $889 million toward its $900 million goal. The Challenge total has reached $259 million.